HSBC Application Advice

We welcome students from all degree disciplines and backgrounds, not just those who’ve studied finance. What matters most is the mix of skills and unique perspectives you bring to our teams.

Our application process focuses on the skills that will help you succeed whatever path you take, while giving you an idea of the kind of work you could be involved in.

If you're not sure which programme to apply to, our SkillsMatcher will help you pinpoint the ones that suit your skills and interests best. You can also use our Programme Finder to explore and compare different programmes.

Our application process varies depending on the programme you apply to.

For internships, apprenticeships and graduate programmes, you’ll need to complete an application form, an online assessment and attend an assessment centre (known as Super Days in the US).

If you’re applying for an insight programme or work placement, you may not need to attend an assessment centre but will typically need to complete an online assessment and video interview.

After each stage of the process, we’ll send you a development report by email. As well as letting you know whether you've been successful, this report will include more detailed feedback on your performance – highlighting where you did well and areas you could develop further.

Once you’ve applied for an internship or graduate programme, you’ll be automatically invited to register for HSBC’s Candidate Hub. There, you’ll find a range of content to help you prepare for each stage of the application process.

Our application form is quick and easy. It should take no more than 10 to 15 minutes to complete.

It starts with a few simple questions about who you are (just to make sure you’re eligible for the programme you’re applying to). You won’t need to submit a cover letter, and there are no lengthy written answers, but we may ask for a copy of your CV.

You’ll also be asked a few questions to help us report on and monitor equal opportunities in line with local requirements. These won’t be used to make hiring decisions and you can choose not to share this information if you prefer.

Our online assessments have either one or two stages, depending on the programme and country or territory you apply to. This could take anything up to 90 minutes to complete.

They’re designed to give you an insight into our values, our culture and the working life of graduates at HSBC. They’ll also help you understand more about the specific business area you’re applying to.

During these assessments you’ll be presented with example work scenarios and asked to respond in different ways, including multiple choice, written and video responses. The responses you give will help us assess your behavioural and cognitive skills to ensure they’re a good match for the programme you’re applying to.

Check out our PracticeZone where you can familiarise yourself with the different types of assessments, so you know what to expect on the day.

The final stage of our recruitment process is an assessment centre*, which typically lasts three hours. These mostly run virtually, but in some countries and territories, or for certain programmes, they’re run in-person. If you need to attend an assessment centre at one of our offices, we’ll give you plenty of advance notice and may be able to support your travel expenses. Please check with your recruiter in advance.

During the assessment centre, you’ll get to meet HSBC colleagues from the business area you’re applying to. We’ll assess your suitability for the programme with questions and exercises designed to help you demonstrate your skills and interest in our business.

To prepare for the final stage assessment, it’s a good idea to reflect on why you applied to HSBC and think about the type of activities you’re good at and enjoy. We’d also encourage you to come prepared with some questions of your own.

*Our assessment centres are known as Super Days in the US.

We’re committed to providing an inclusive recruitment experience that enables all candidates to perform at their best. If you’re neurodiverse or have a disability or long-term health condition that affects your ability to show us your full potential at any stage in the process, please let us know and we’ll be happy to discuss the adjustments we can make.

Throughout the process you’ll be asked to complete various assessments which may involve:

• Different question types and formats, including audio or video content, mock emails, data tables and graphs or written articles
• Time-recorded assessments or a time-limited video responses

Our assessments have been tested for use with commonly used screen-readers and assistive software. Other features in our assessments to support accessibility include:

• Closed captions and transcripts for all video and audio content
• The ability to zoom in or out of content on screen
• A minimum font size of 16px for all text content
• The ability to navigate all assessments using only a keyboard
• Clear labelling of all charts and graphs so there’s no need to distinguish between colours

If there’s any other kind of support you need, you can let us know in your application form. Or, if you have any queries before you apply, contact your local recruitment team.

Click here for the most frequently asked questions regarding the HSBC application process.

Don't forget to check out our PracticeZone where you can familiarise yourself with the different types of assessments, so you know what to expect on the day.